by Subhash K Jha

It might not have got the cash registers jingling in India. But Jahnu Barua's first Hindi film Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara continues to win international recognition. The latest honour it has secured for itself is the FIPRESCI award at the MAMI film festival in Mumbai.

Says Anupam Kher, "I couldn't be at the Festival to collect the award, since I'm shooting in Nainital for Sooraj Barjatya's Vivah. But my director Jahnu Barua was there. It's a very prestigious award since it's the only award award given by the international press. It's fantastic that the film is being recognized internationally.

Even nationally we made our money back. It was well-marketed by Yashraj Films. It's now been sold to Sony Entertainment for a handsome sum. It will be telecast on 8 April. I think the film got its share of glory."

Adds the film's leading lady Urmila Matondkar, "It's wonderful that the film is being so much appreciated abroad, though not at home. Maybe the standards for our cinema have gone up so high that Maine Gandhi... was just not good enough for our audience.

Abroad, I can vouch for the audiences' passionate participation. The MAMI award is a cherry on the topping. It was very daring for Anupamji to produce the kind of cinema that other big producers only keep talking about."

Urmila admits she wishes the film had fared better in India. "But the intention was never to make a blockbuster. One does such films because one wants to. Nor did I do it for critical acclaim. The recognition was just the bonus.

Even cynical journalists loved Maine Gandhi....It's heartening to see certain sections haven't become desensitized to issues such as old age. Yes, it could've performed better at the Indian boxoffice. But never mind."